Mount Vernon Tigers: 2013 football preview

The Mount Vernon Tigers look to continue their success after a bounce-back 2012.

In head coach Mike Alexander’s first season, the Tigers had a less-than-stellar 2011, winning just two of games. But in 2012, they went 7-3 overall and 3-3 in District 8-2A Division I. Of the 2012 Tigers, Alexander said that they played a “tough brand of football, and fell just one game short of making the playoffs.” Quite a few players contributed to the Tigers’ resurgence, including running back Kris Ables, quarterback Sam Alston, and linebacker Mason Cook.

Ables is a versatile back with speed and power who is also a threat to line up at wide receiver. Though he didn’t join the team until the start of two-a-days, he snagged 667 yards on the ground with less than 100 rushing attempts, and had an astounding six touchdowns in the Tigers’ 28-26 victory over Hooks on Sept. 28.

Alston is strong-armed and experienced in the quarterback position, with two full seasons under his belt. Alston has amassed 2,229 career passing yards with 14 touchdowns and 20 interceptions, and improved his completion percentage from .468 in 2011 to .548 in 2012.

An instinctive player with a nose for football, Cook is also entering his third season on varsity. Cook vastly improved from 2011 to 2012, with 85 tackles in 2012 compared to 53 in 2011, and seven sacks in 2012 to none in 2011.

With perennial powerhouse New Boston and 2012 Region II finalist Daingerfield in their district, a title would be a longshor for Mount Vernon. But there’s a very good chance the Tigers can snag third or fourth in District 8-2A Division I.

Trenton High School enters its second season of varsity football following an absence from the sport. Last year’s obligatory rebuilding campaign was a predictably rough one, with the Tigers managing a single non-district win against nine losses.